Mallard in a tree? (1 Viewer)

[denisestevens]

A friend at work informed me this morning that she spotted a mallard flying to and settling in a tree. Is this usual behaviour? Do mallards sometimes nest in a tree?:

 

[KC Foggin]

Hello there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

Mallards make their nests in depressions in the ground usually in tall grass and within 100 feet of water but a few ducks do nest in trees on a regular basis, and these include the Bufflehead, Wood Duck, Goldeneyes and Mergansers.

 

[a.dancy]

Hi and welcome to Birdforum. I doubt the bird is a mallard...but you never know!

 

[marie b]

Well, if not nesting, at least sitting in a tree. We've seen lots -- used to get waked up in the wee hours by ducks in trees outside our house in a suburb of Tokyo.... didn't know (or care) what kind back then.. :>)

 

[Mark Bruce]

Hi, a warm welcome and good to have you with us :t:!

 

[cescoutdoors]

I've seen Mallards perched on a roof top, so they don't always hang out on the ground like we might think!

 

[robinm]

Hi and welcome to BirdForum :t:

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

Mallards also occasionally nest in wide tree cavities, on willows that are regularely cut back or in abandonned nests of other birds.

This behaviour seems to be more common in areas where there is a risk of flooding during breeding time.

 

[John N]

Hi, welcome to BirdForum.Enjoy yourself here.